2014 football preview: Peninsula District

COACH| Jeremy Blunt (second full season, 18-3 after taking over in Week 5 of 2012)

2013| 10-2, 9-0 (lost to King's Fork in 4A South quarterfinal)

Last time not in playoffs| 2000

Group| 4A.

Conference| 18

Home field| Darling Stadium

THE SCHEDULE

Aug. 28| at Gloucester, 7 (W, 41-20)

Sept. 5| at Lake Taylor, 7

Sept. 12| Warwick, 7 (W, 56-7)

Sept. 18| Denbigh, 7 (W, 49-21)

Sept. 26| Hampton, 7 (W, 42-0)

Oct. 4| at Menchville, 1 (W, 51-0)

Oct. 10| at Bethel, 7 (W, 35-7)

Oct. 17| at Woodside, 5 (W, 35-14)

Oct. 25| Heritage, 2 (W, 26-9)

Oct. 31| Kecoughtan, 7 (W, 23-6)

THE STANDOUTS

Robbie Robinson

Jr. | 5-10 | 190 | WR/CB

Had four interceptions, including a pick-six, in nine games last season. Also returned three kicks for touchdowns that totaled 227 yards. The Phantoms will want the ball in his hands.

Harry Lewis

Sr. | 6-1 | 255 | OL/DL

A high-energy tackle with 4.6 speed, Lewis has already committed to Virginia Tech, where he is expected to play defense. Also an outstanding offensive lineman, which Phoebus always seems to have.

Joe Addison

Sr. | 5-8 | 165 | QB/WR

Splitting time last year, he completed 54 percent of his passes for 447 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. But he'll spend most of his time at WR this year.

THE STORYLINES

State title or bust. The Phantoms are 22-3 over the last two seasons, but none of that matters on Ireland Street without a ring. Phoebus won seven of them from 2001-11 but hasn't made it past regional play since.

No longer invincible? To some, Phoebus isn't as intimidating as it once was. But that's fine with Blunt, who says he'd rather be the hunter than the hunted. He also believes anyone writing this team off is crazy.

COACH SAYS

"Replacing a Marshawn Williams is the same as replacing a Tony Pittman and a Tyree Lee was. Here at Phoebus, we believe the next great back is ready to go. … All of the offensive linemen have been in the system since the 8th grade. We have five juniors, and three of them played big minutes last year … We have unfinished business. Our focus is to get ourselves back on the mountain top."

2. HERITAGE

THE VITALS

COACH| George Massenburg (fourth year, 21-14)

2013| 12-2, 8-1 (lost to Dinwiddie in 4A state semifinals)

Last time not in playoffs| 2011

Group| 4A

Conference| 18

Home field| Todd Stadium

SCHEDULE

Aug. 29| at Wilson, 7 (W, 48-7)

Sept. 5| Denbigh, 7 (W, 33-20)

Sept. 13| Hampton, 1 (W, 21-14)

Sept. 19| at Menchville, 7 (W, 35-0)

Sept. 27| Bethel, 1 (W, 44-14)

Oct. 3| Woodside, 7 (W, 28-24)

Oct. 10| at Gloucester, 7 (W, 21-14)

Oct. 17| at Kecoughtan, 7 (W, 24-19)

Oct. 25| at Phoebus, 2 (L, 9-26)

Nov. 1| Warwick, 1 (W, 40-6)

THE STANDOUTS

Dimitri Holloway

Sr. | 6-1 | 190 | WR/LB

One of those kids who can play just about anywhere. Scored 8 TDs last season (three rushing, three receiving, one blocked punt recovery, and one fumble recovery) and averaged 24.3 ypc.

Timothy Holden-Bethea

Sr. | 5-11 | 165 | WR/DB/KR

An electrifying athlete whose 11 touchdowns (five receiving, four rushing, two kickoff returns) covered 567 yards. Only had 34 touches from scrimmage, which should grow.

Jeremiah Boyd

So. | 6-0 | 180 | QB

After not attempting a pass the first four games, Boyd became the Canes' QB1 in week five and ran with it. Completed 56-of-105 passes for 1,286 yards with 17 TDs and 6 INTs.

THE STORYLINES

Keeping on. Heritage went from 0-10 to 12-2 in three years, the best turnaround in district history and one of the best in the state. Sure, graduation took some key players, but the Canes have more than enough returning to make another run.

Versatility. Heritage has a lot of those "slash" players — as in, guys who play just about anywhere. Holloway, Holden-Bethea and Vanhook are among those who can line up in the backfield on one play and at wide receiver the next. Or vice versa.

COACH SAYS

"We knew we were close last year, but we don't even discuss last year because it's over with. We have to continue to build. … Boyd is doing a great job. He's put on about 10, 15 pounds over the summer and he's gotten a little bit taller. He has a complete understanding of the offense. … When Tim gets the ball, we expect big things to happen. … We're expecting some big things at 5800 Marshall Avenue."